3

C.—B,

Waitakaruru-Pipiroa District. In the district 7,945 chains of drains were cleaned, 19,260 cubic yards of material was excavated for the improvement of 910 chains of existing drains, and 3,746 cubic yards for the improvement of 286 chains of stop-bank. Road-formation on the western side of the Maukoto-Waitakaruru Canal is now completed for a distance of 3 miles 60 chains from the Waitakaruru-Pokeno Road, and 2 miles 50 chains of this road was metalled during this year. One new concrete-pipe culvert was installed at Rawerawe, and two small road-bridges erected. Patetonga-Awaiti and Tahuna Districts. In this district the usual maintenance works have been carried out, 6,882 chains of drains having been cleaned ; 410 chains of drains were widened and deepened, necessitating the excavation of 8,842 cubic yards of spoil; 3,748 cubic yards of clay was delivered on the Patetonga Tramway Road. The usual tramway goods service was maintained throughout the year between the wharf on Piako River and the Patetonga Road, a distance of about 3 miles. The freight charges collected for the conveyance of goods on the tramway amounted to £651 14s. During the year Messrs. Murray, Walters, and Sutherland were appointed as a committee to investigate and report on the roading and drainage facilities of the Patetonga Riding of the county, and the difficulties in connection with the settlement of the peat lands in this area. These gentlemen, after going carefully into the various matters in detail, and the individual difficulties of settlers, submitted a comprehensive report, which will be of great assistance in dealing with the problems involved in the development of this district. The work on the main drainage scheme for the Awaiti-Elstow district has been restricted to the operations of one drag-line excavator on the Awaiti Canal and the completion of the drains parallel to the canal stop-banks. Good results have been obtained by the small drains constructed on the location of the Elstow Canal for the purpose of consolidating the swamp, and it should be possible to proceed with the construction of this canal as soon as arrangements are completed with the Elstow Drainage Board. Roads. Road-formation, metalling, and maintenance has occupied some of the construction forces of the Department during the summer months. The total quantity of metal received during the year was 4,334-1 cubic yards, and the following roads were metalled : — Metal. Length completed. Cub. yd. M. eh. Puhanga Canal Road (north end) .. . . .. 234f 0 8 Kaihere Landing Road (westward) . . .. .. 175 0 10 Maukoro Canal Road (west side) .. . . 3,925 2 50 Totals .. .. .. .. 4,3341 268 The following roads were formed : — M. eh. Maukoro Canal Road (west side) .. .. . . . . .. 037 River Road, Kerepeehi No. 2 Block .. .. .. .. .. 070 Reservoir Canal Road, Kerepeehi No. 2 Block .. .. .. .. 040 Reservoir Canal Road, Kerepeehi No. 1 Block .. .. .. .. 050 Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. 237 M. ch. Maintenance —Clay roads disked and graded .. .. .. .. 865 Quantity Length of Clay. completed. The following peat roads were ballasted with clay : — Cub. yd. M. ch. Patetonga Tram Road .. .. .. 3, 748 1 30 Torehapeßoad .. .. .. .. .. 2,412 016 Hopai West and Central Roads (completing) .. .. 108 0 1 Pouarua Road .. .. .. .. .. 1,257 018 Kaihere Road (haunching metal) .. .. .. 603 0 30 Puhanga Canal Road (patching, &c.) . . .. .. 74 0 2 Totals 8,202 2 13 Drainage. The object of a large portion of the drainage activities of the past two or three years has been the improvement of the drainage of lands actually occupied and farmed. During this year 38,159 cubic yards of material was excavated for the improvement of 22 miles 40 chains of existing drains. Some 13 miles 49 chains of new drains were constructed, and the total length of drains constructed on the Hauraki Plains to date is 602 miles 11 chains.

2—C. 8.